EMMAUS, Pa. – The home of a former longstanding spot for beers, burgers, sandwiches and sports viewing is ready for its next chapter in Lehigh County.
The Emmaus location of Volpe’s Sports Bar held its last day of operation on April 4 at Broad and South Fifth streets in the borough, and now, the 52 S. Fifth St. property is available for purchase or lease, according to an announcement on the business’ Facebook page.
The Emmaus location of Volpe’s Sports Bar previously operated at Broad and South Fifth streets.
Ryan Kneller
The sale price is listed at $2.8 million and includes the R liquor license, bar and restaurant equipment, six 1-bedroom and two 2-bedroom apartments, A/V systems, fire suppression system, ATM, vending machines and alarm system.
The highly visible corner location offers “outstanding potential for a restaurant, tavern, sports bar, entertainment venue, brewery, event space, or adaptive commercial redevelopment,” according to the listing.
“Strategically positioned along Broad Street in downtown Emmaus, the property benefits from strong local traffic, established neighborhood demographics, and excellent accessibility to surrounding residential and commercial districts,” the listing states.
“… This turnkey hospitality location presents a rare chance to establish a new concept in a property that has long served as a local gathering place.”
The other option is to rent the space and buy the liquor license.
This option includes the purchase of the R liquor license and everything in the building, including tables, chairs, stools, TVs, audio system, video surveillance cameras, kitchen equipment and more, along with the signing of a longer-term lease.
The commercial space is available for lease at $7,500 per month, according to the listing.
The property will be open and available to see this Friday, June 5, from 9 to 11 a.m.
Prospective buyers and renters with questions can reach out to realtor Michael Volpe, Fran’s brother, at 484-894-9865 or realtormikev@gmail.com.
In early April, Fran announced that Volpe’s Sports Bar in Emmaus was closing after 18 years of operation.
“I never thought I would own a bar, especially after seeing what it was like growing up around the business,” Fran said in the announcement.
“18 years ago, I decided to start a new business in Emmaus. My family was welcomed to Emmaus and always treated great by the Borough and community. I made so many great friends, had great employees and loyal customers. I am very proud of the number of organizations we have been able to sponsor, teams we could help and host meetings for, fundraisers, dine and donates… This business is a perfect example of how much one small business can help a local community. Make sure you support all your favorite local businesses.”
Volpe opened the Emmaus location of Volpe’s Sports Bar in 2008 at Broad and South Fifth streets in the borough.
The establishment was a second location of the landmark sports bar, which Volpe’s father – Robert Volpe – continues to operate at 1926 W. Tilghman St. in Allentown.
Robert’s late father, Americo Volpe, started what is now Volpe’s Sports Bar in 1941 at the Tilghman Street site.
The family-run establishment went by a couple of other monikers, including Volpe’s West Side Lounge, over the decades, but it’s operated as Volpe’s Sports Bar since Robert took over operations in 1984.
At the former Emmaus location, guests could choose from two different bars: a “modern day cigar bar” that showcased the space’s original bar dating back to the 1920s and the sports bar’s “main bar/dining room,” a smoke-free space featuring 20 TVs and a pool table, according to the business’ website.
The Emmaus establishment offered more than a dozen rotating draft beers, over 50 bottle beer selections and a food menu featuring a wide array of appetizers, burgers, cheesesteaks, jumbo chicken wings, specialty fries and pierogies, soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and more.
“Volpe’s was built as a bar, primarily a drinking establishment and with the changing times, we need to change a lot of things to be successful today,” Fran wrote in Sunday’s announcement.
“I thought right now was a good time to close the doors and figure out what is next. Volpe’s as it once was, won’t be back in the same form, but I know some food business will do great at this location. I am not sure if I will be a part of that change or not, but THANK YOU to everyone who worked here, and every patron who stepped foot in this building.”